ESSAY CEMETERY

Beowulf is the oldest long poem written in English. It was composed in England in the early 8th century, and put into manuscript form, in Old English, in the late 10th. A fire damaged the only copy of the poem in 1731 and so some of its content is missing. Beowulf deals with events that took place two centuries before the poem was composed. It tells of the Germanic forebears of the Englishmen of that period, particularly two south Scandinavian tribes, the Danes and the Geats (to whom Beowulf belonged), who invaded England in 449. The audience probably considered themselves descendants of the Geats. This, along with the tradition of ancient epic poems which were probably well known in that era, indicates that Beowulf was an important heroic poem and served to glorify and immortalize the origin of the audience of the poem. It is thought that the writer of the manuscript was a Christian, as there are many references to God and Old Testament. However there are no references to the New Test

Beowulf is an epic poem that relates the adventures of an Anglo-Saxon hero, composed to be recited in England in the early 8 th century. It was put into manuscript form, in Old English, in the late 10 th century, and the only surviving manuscript was partially destroyed by fire in 1731. Though the text as it was originally related is not available to us today, the many hands through which it passed and the numerous reincarnations thereof make this poem an invaluable tool. Through inferences about the changes made to the text as it changed hands, we may gain insight into the cultural values and religious beliefs prevalent in early Medieval Britain. The poem relates events that took place two centuries prior to its composition. It centers around two south Scandinavian tribes, the Danes and the Geats. The original audience of Beowulf, that of its oral incarnation, probably considered themselves descendents of the Geats (of whom Beowulf derived). Thus, much in the manner that the Aen

Page numbers from Norton Anthology of English Literature, 4ed. THEMES/MOTIFS Money and treasure                 Many references.                 Page 48: Dead warriors are burned with their war gear on At the fire it was easy to see many a blood-stained battle shirt, boar-images all golden Page 50: Gifts given to Beowulf in thanks Twisted gold courteously bestowed on him, two arm-ornaments, a mailshirt and rings, the largest of necklaces of those I have heard spoken of… Good kings as associated with money and gifts Page 29 [Scyld] prospered in honors… until every one… had to obey him, pay him tribute. That was a good king. Loyalty associated with money  Page 30                 By giving splendid gifts… later in life beloved companions will stand by him Christian References                 Page 31: Creation                 the Almighty made earth… set up in triumpth the lights of the sun and the moon…                 Page 40: trust in God  

[PROLOGUE] Beowulf begins with the description of the genealogy of the Danes. Scyld arrives in Denmark alone on a treasure ship as a young child. He goes on to become a great king. He is given a splendid burial in a ship filled with treasure. He has a son Beow who is also a glorious king. Beow has a son Healfdene who is a great warrior who has four children amongst whom are Heorogar, Hrothgar and Helga. [BEOWULF AND GRENDEL] [THE HALL HEOROT IS ATTACHKED BY GRENDEL] Hrothgar is king, and has a huge hall built called Heorot. He is successful in ruling and battle, until his hall and the kingdom is attacked repeatedly by the monster Grendel, a descendent of Cain's, to complete wreckage. They pray to the Devil, as heathens do but they ought to have prayed to god. [THE COMING OF BEOWULF TO HEOROT] Beowulf, the bravest of the Geats, heard of Grendel's deeds. He organized a team of good soldiers and crosses the ocean to Hrothgar's kingdom. Thanks to their splendid wa